Anderson County Court Records Search
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Anderson County is located in East Texas with its county seat in Palestine. The county’s court system includes multiple district courts, a constitutional county court, a county court at law, four justice of the peace courts, and several municipal courts. Court records generated by these tribunals are maintained by two primary custodians: the Anderson County Clerk’s Office (for county-level and probate matters) and the Anderson County District Clerk’s Office (for district court civil, criminal, and family proceedings).
Individuals looking for court records in Texas can begin by consulting official clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online databases. The TexasStateCourts.us website and the statewide re:SearchTX platform may also help locate publicly available case information from courts across all 254 Texas counties, including Anderson County. Additional searches can be conducted through the Anderson County public access portal and the county’s official records index.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Anderson County?
Anderson County provides several methods to search for court case information, depending on the type of case and the office that holds the records.
Online Search Options
- District and County Court Case Search — Anderson County maintains a public access case search portal that allows users to look up criminal and civil cases filed in the district courts and county court at law. After accepting the terms and conditions on the landing page, users can search by defendant name, case number, or filing date. A separate civil case search page is available for civil, family, and probate docket inquiries.
- re:SearchTX — The Texas Office of Court Administration’s re:SearchTX platform aggregates case data from district, county, and probate courts statewide. A free subscription plan allows users to search across multiple counties and preview certain documents, though full document access may require a paid plan.
- Official Public Records Index — The Anderson County Official Records Search portal, powered by the county clerk, covers recorded documents such as deeds, liens, and other official public records. Users can search by grantor/grantee name, document type, or document number.
- Certified Copies Online — Anderson County participates in the Clerk E-Certify program, which lets users order self-validating certified copies of court documents and land records electronically.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Requesters may visit either clerk’s office during business hours to search records at a public terminal or request copies from staff. Office hours for both the County Clerk and District Clerk are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (offices close for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.). Written requests can also be submitted by mail or fax. When submitting a request, provide as much identifying information as possible, including full party names, case numbers, and approximate filing dates.
Key Office Contacts
| Office | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson County Clerk | 500 N. Church St., Room 10, Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7432 | (903) 723-4625 |
| Anderson County District Clerk | 500 N. Church St., Room 18, Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7412 | (903) 723-7491 |
The District Clerk’s email address for attorneys and record requests is tcoker@co.anderson.tx.us. The County Clerk’s email is mstaples@co.anderson.tx.us.
Are Court Records Public in Anderson County?
Court records in Anderson County are generally public under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. Any person may request access to government records, including court filings, without stating a reason.
However, several categories of records are exempt from public disclosure:
- Sealed records — A court may seal records by order to protect sensitive information or ensure fair proceedings. Sealed records cannot be accessed without court authorization.
- Juvenile records — Case files involving minors in juvenile proceedings are confidential under the Texas Family Code.
- Adoption records — Files related to adoption proceedings are sealed and not available for public inspection.
- Mental health records — Court documents from mental health commitment proceedings are restricted.
- Expunged or nondisclosed records — Criminal records that have been expunged under Article 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, or made subject to an order of nondisclosure under Section 411.072 of the Texas Government Code, are no longer publicly accessible.
Additionally, Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration exempts certain internal court materials from disclosure, including judicial deliberation notes, preliminary drafts, security plans, personnel data, and personal information of judges and court staff.
Before release, court staff may redact personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver’s license numbers from documents, consistent with Texas Property Code Section 11.008 and other applicable provisions. Requesters should be aware that fees for copying and retrieving records may apply, and administrative processing times vary depending on the complexity of the request.
Anderson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Anderson County are prosecuted in the district courts (for felonies) and the county court at law (for misdemeanors). The four district courts handling criminal matters are the 3rd, 87th, 349th, and 369th District Courts, all housed at the Anderson County Courthouse.
Anderson County District Courts (Criminal)
Address: 500 N. Church St., Room 18, Palestine, TX 75801
Phone: (903) 723-7412
Anderson County Court at Law (Misdemeanors)
Address: 500 N. Church St., Room 10, Palestine, TX 75801
Phone: (903) 723-7402
Searching Criminal Records
- Online — Use the Anderson County criminal case search portal to look up cases by defendant name. The online case docket also provides schedules for upcoming criminal hearings, including case numbers, parties, hearing types, and dates.
- In person — Visit the District Clerk’s Office to review criminal case files on a public terminal or request paper copies.
- By mail — Submit a written request to the District Clerk with the defendant’s full name and, if available, the case number or arrest date.
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive criminal history check beyond Anderson County, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the state’s central criminal records repository. A name-based criminal history search costs $3.00 for public access. Fingerprint-based personal reviews require scheduling an appointment through IDEMIA’s Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) system by calling (888) 467-2080 or visiting a FAST location. The Texas Fingerprint Service Code for personal reviews is 11FT12. Applicants must complete the CR-63 Personal Review form and provide valid identification. The fingerprinting fee is $10.00, and the criminal history access fee is an additional $15.00.
Records of deferred adjudication and convictions are generally public. However, expunged records and those subject to nondisclosure orders are restricted from public view.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1200 E. Lacy St., Palestine, TX 75801
Phone: (903) 729-6068
The Sheriff’s Office handles arrests and jail intake for the county. Current inmate information may be available through the Sheriff’s Office directly.
Anderson County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Anderson County are heard in the district courts (cases over $200 in controversy) and the county court at law (concurrent civil jurisdiction). Small claims and minor civil matters are handled by the four Justice of the Peace courts.
Where Civil Records Are Maintained
District court civil records are held by the District Clerk’s Office. County court at law civil records, along with JP court appeal records, are maintained by the County Clerk’s Office. Below is a directory of courts hearing civil matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd District Court | 500 N. Church St., #18, Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7412 |
| 87th District Court | 500 N. Church St., #18, Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7412 |
| 349th District Court | 500 N. Church St., #18, Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7412 |
| 369th District Court | 500 N. Church St., #18, Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7412 |
| County Court at Law | 500 N. Church St., #10, Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7402 |
| JP Precinct 1 | P.O. Box 348, Elkhart, TX 75839 | (903) 764-5661 |
| JP Precinct 2 | 703 N. Mallard St., #107, Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7486 |
| JP Precinct 3 | 500 N. Church St., Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7418 |
| JP Precinct 4 | 703 N. Mallard St., Palestine, TX 75801 | (903) 723-7419 |
Online Access
Civil court records can be searched through the Anderson County civil case search portal, which covers civil, family, and probate dockets in the district courts and county court at law. Users can search by party name, case number, or date range.
Filing Fees
Civil filing fees in Texas district courts are governed by Chapters 133 and 135 of the Texas Local Government Code. For any new civil case (excluding probate, guardianship, and mental health), the statewide mandatory fees include a Local Consolidated Civil Fee of $213.00 and a State Consolidated Civil Fee of $137.00, for a combined minimum base of $350.00. Subsequent filings (counterclaims, cross-actions, interventions, motions for new trial) carry fees of $35.00 (local) plus $45.00 (state), totaling $80.00. Jury demands require a separate $10.00 fee under Rule 216 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Copy and Recording Fees
The Anderson County Clerk charges the following for document copies and recordings, per the county recording fees schedule:
- First page of a recorded document: $26.00
- Each additional page: $4.00
- Back sides of pages count as separate pages at $4.00 each
- Names exceeding 5 combined grantors/grantees: $0.25 per additional name
- Certified papers: $5.00 per document
- Non-certified papers: $1.00 per page
All documents submitted for recording must be originals (no photocopies), must be printed in type no smaller than eight-point, and must include proper signatures, acknowledgments, and notary seals per Texas Local Government Code Section 405.019.
Anderson County Family Court Records
Anderson County does not have a standalone family court. Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence protective orders, and paternity — are adjudicated by the district courts. Family case records are maintained by the District Clerk’s Office.
Searching Family Court Records
Family docket records can be searched using the same civil case search portal used for civil records. Users should search by party name or case number. In-person requests can be made at the District Clerk’s Office, and written requests may be submitted by mail, fax, or email. A pro se divorce packet is available on the county’s website for individuals representing themselves in uncontested divorce proceedings.
Restricted Family Records
Adoption files, juvenile dependency records, and certain domestic violence protective order details are confidential under the Texas Family Code and are not available for public inspection. Sealed or redacted records require a court order for access.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Anderson County Clerk’s Office. According to the Anderson County vitals fee schedule, the fees are as follows:
- Marriage license without a Texas Premarital Education Certificate: $81.00
- Marriage license with a Texas Premarital Education Certificate: $31.00
Applicants should contact the County Clerk at (903) 723-7432 for specific documentation requirements and to confirm current fee amounts.
Birth and Death Certificates
The County Clerk also serves as the local registrar for vital records. Copies of birth and death certificates can be requested in person or by mail. Applicants must complete a notarized application — either the Birth Certificate Application & Affidavit or the Death Certificate Application & Affidavit — and provide a clear copy of a valid ID. Fees are:
- Certified birth certificate: $23.00
- Certified death certificate: $21.00 (first copy); $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record
Only certified copies are issued; plain copies are not available. Mail-in requests must include payment by money order or cashier’s check (no personal checks). Birth records become publicly available 75 years after the date of birth, and death records become public 25 years after the date of death. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) also processes statewide requests for birth and death certificates.
Anderson County Probate Court Records
Probate cases in Anderson County — including estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, and small estate affidavits — are filed through the County Clerk’s Office and heard in either the Constitutional County Court or the County Court at Law. Fines and fees for both courts are paid at the County Clerk’s Office.
Anderson County Clerk’s Office (Probate)
Address: 500 N. Church St., Room 10, Palestine, TX 75801
Phone: (903) 723-7432
Searching Probate Records
Probate docket information can be searched through the same civil case search portal used for other civil and family matters. In-person requests may be directed to the County Clerk’s probate division.
Probate Filing Fees
The Anderson County Clerk’s probate fee schedule (effective January 1, 2020) lists the following base costs:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Base probate fee — County Court | $313.00 |
| Base probate fee — County Court at Law | $328.00 |
| Court Reporter fee (added to base) | $15.00 |
| Small estate affidavit — County Court | $254.00 |
| Small estate affidavit — County Court at Law | $269.00 |
| Section 75 will (filing and deposit) | $16.00 |
| Will for safekeeping | $16.00 |
The base probate fee includes the county clerk fee ($40.00), judge’s signature fee ($2.00), court records preservation ($10.00), appellate judicial system fee ($5.00), statewide e-filing fee ($30.00), sheriff fee ($65.00), library fee ($25.00), judges education fund fee ($5.00), security fee ($5.00), records management preservation fee ($5.00), BCLSI fee ($10.00), judge’s supplemental fee ($42.00), judge’s fee supplemental ($40.00), court-initiated guardianship fee ($20.00), and judicial and court personnel training fee ($5.00).
Additional Probate Fees (Not Included in Base)
- Citation by posting: $4.00
- Citation by publication: $4.00 (newspaper publication paid separately by the attorney)
- Sheriff service of citation: $100.00
- Jury fee: $40.00
- Administering an oath: $2.00
- Inventory and appraisement order (judge’s signature): $27.00
- Approving and recording bond: $3.00
- Final or annual account of estate order: $27.00
- Application for sale of real or personal property: $97.00
- Final or annual report of guardian (person only): $12.00
- Adverse probate action order: $107.00
- Claim against estate order: $12.00
- Certified papers: $5.00 per document
- Non-certified papers: $1.00 per page
- Letters for probate: $2.00
- Abstract of judgment: $5.00
- Search fee per name: $5.00
All payments are due at the time service is rendered. Any document requiring a judge’s signature will have the judge’s signature fee added to the above-listed amounts.
Property Records
While not part of the probate court system, property records relevant to estates may be accessed through the Anderson County Appraisal District or the county’s official records search portal. Recording fees follow the County Clerk’s standard schedule of $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page.